Spike Lee at Torino Film Festival: No Remakes, Original Cinema Only
At the 43rd Torino Film Festival, Spike Lee took center stage by showcasing his film 'Highest 2 Lowest' (USA, Japan, 2025, 133 min, on Apple TV+) outside of the competition. This film, which features Denzel Washington, marks their fifth collaboration. During the festival's opening night at Teatro Regio, Lee and Antonio Banderas exchanged the Stella della Mole award while kneeling. Lee voiced his support for Jannik Sinner amid backlash for cheering on Carlos Alcaraz and shared a story about presenting Pope Leo XIV with a signed Knicks jersey. He voted for Mamdani, noting there were no mass exits. Lee criticized Hollywood's obsession with superhero movies, mentioning that 'Highest 2 Lowest' had a limited theatrical release. The film, influenced by Kurosawa's 'High and Low,' includes drone shots of Manhattan and a subway chase reminiscent of 'The French Connection.'
Key facts
- Spike Lee attended the 43rd Torino Film Festival directed by Giulio Base.
- Presented 'Highest 2 Lowest' out of competition, starring Denzel Washington.
- Lee and Antonio Banderas exchanged the Stella della Mole award at Teatro Regio.
- Lee clarified his support for Jannik Sinner despite social media backlash.
- Lee met Pope Leo XIV in Vatican and gifted him a Knicks jersey.
- Lee voted for Mamdani and commented on predictions of mass departures.
- Lee teaches at NYU Graduate School of Film for 30 years.
- Criticized Hollywood for focusing on superhero films, action, and remakes.
- 'Highest 2 Lowest' had only a three-week theatrical run.
- Film is inspired by Kurosawa's 'High and Low' but not a remake.
- Opening drone shots of Manhattan homage Woody Allen's film.
- Apartment set featured replicas of Basquiat and Kehinde Wiley works.
- Subway chase scene homage to 'The French Connection'.
- Credits feature Adriano Celentano's song.
- Lee wants to make a musical about Viagra history but lacks funding.
Entities
Artists
- Spike Lee
- Denzel Washington
- Antonio Banderas
- Giulio Base
- Jannik Sinner
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Pope Leo XIV
- Mamdani
- Akira Kurosawa
- William Friedkin
- Ed McBain
- Woody Allen
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Kehinde Wiley
- Gene Hackman
- Fernando Rey
- Adriano Celentano
- Dario Bragaglia
Institutions
- Torino Film Festival
- Apple TV+
- New York Knicks
- NYU Graduate School of Film
- Vatican
- Teatro Regio
- Olympia Dumbo
Locations
- Atlanta
- United States
- Torino
- Italy
- New York City
- Brooklyn
- Manhattan
- East River
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Statue of Liberty
- Vatican City
- Chicago
- New Orleans
- Japan